MARCO STORARI PROFILE

Marco Storari born 7 January 1977 is an Italian professional footballer who plays for Juventus FC, as a goalkeeper.

After a lengthy spell in Italy's lower leagues, Storari arrived in Serie A aged 27. Steady performances for F.C. Messina prompted his signing by country giants A.C. Milan.

Born in Pisa, Storari finished his football formation at Perugia Calcio and Montevarchi Calcio Aquila 1902 (six months), making his professional debuts with A.C. Ancona, in the third division. With the latter, he helped to a promotion in 1999–2000.

After two seasons, Storari left for S.S.C. Napoli which was also then in level two, in a joint-ownership deal. He continued to play in that level, joining F.C. Messina Peloro on loan in January 2002, in exchange for Emanuele Manitta, with the deal being made permanent in the 2003 summer. Messina promoted in 2003–04, with Storari an undisputed starter.

He made his Serie A debut on 12 September 2004, against Parma FC, in a 0–0 away draw, as the newcomer club finished in 7th place. In the following seasons, he remained the starter, as Messina nearly relegated in 2005–06, being reinstated after the outcome of the 2006 Italian football scandal, eventually dropping down a level in the following season, as last.

On 17 January 2007, Storari was acquired by A.C. Milan, as an emergency signing, as both Dida and backup Željko Kalac were out of action due to injury; he signed a 2½ year contract (until summer 2010).In three league appearances, against A.S. Livorno Calcio, A.C. Siena and Udinese Calcio, he conceded seven goals. He did not appear in any cup matches since his debut for Milan commenced shortly after they were eliminated from the competition by A.S. Roma, on January 31.

On 3 July 2007, reports surfaced that Milan were close to sending Storari to La Liga side Real Betis, on a one-year loan. The deal was increased to two years, and the player, along with his manager, traveled to Seville. Although having stayed in the city for three days, Betis president Manuel Ruiz de Lopera failed to meet with the player and Storari returned to Italy as the deal failed to materialize. On August 12, Storari was eventually loaned to another club in Spain, Levante UD, on a two-year contract.

However, the loan deal ended after only six months, as the Valencian team was immerse in a deep financial crisis; on 5 January 2008, Storari returned to Italy, with Cagliari Calcio due to Levante's inability to pay his salary. "[The] club was in financial difficulty and couldn’t pay me...there are some wonderful people here who were honest with us, but working without pay is a difficult situation to be in.”

Storari signed a loan contract for ACF Fiorentina in July 2008. His output consisted of a cup match and another in the league, barred by longtime first-choice Sébastien Frey.

Due to injury to starter Christian Abbiati, Storari began 2009–10 as first-choice, over Dida; on 22 August 2009, two years and three months after his last official match for the club, he was between the posts for the 2–1 win at Siena. Additionally, in October, he signed a new contract, adding two extra years to his link, but soon got injured, losing his place to the Brazilian.

After the recovery of Abbiati, Storari faced additional competition for a regular starting berth; thus, on 15 January 2010, he went on loan to U.C. Sampdoria, replacing injured Luca Castellazzi. He played his first game two days later, in a 1–1 home draw against Calcio Catania.

After Sampdoria failed to agree a deal with Milan to sign him outright, after losing Castellazzi to F.C. Internazionale Milano on a free transfer, Storari was sold to Juventus F.C. for a fee of €4.5M on 23 June 2010, becoming the second signing of head coach Luigi Delneri and sports director Giuseppe Marotta, with whom Storari already had worked at Sampdoria. He signed a three-year contract effective on 1 July, providing cover for Gianluigi Buffon, who sustained a back injury at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and compete with Alex Manninger. Milan signed Marco Amelia on loan from Genoa C.F.C. on the same day to act as his replacement.

Storari was never capped for Italy, although he was chosen as third-choice by national boss Marcello Lippi, for a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification against Slovenia, in October 2005.


PLAYER DETAILS

Date of birth: 7 January 1977
Place of birth: Pisa, Italy
Height: 1.87 m (6 ft 1 1⁄2 in)
Playing position: Goalkeeper

Club information
Current club: Juventus

Youth career
1995–1998 Perugia
1998–1998 Montevarchi

Senior career
1998–2002 Ancona 91 (0)
2002–2003 Napoli 4 (0)
2002–2003 → Messina (loan) 16 (0)
2003–2007 Messina 127 (0)
2007–2010 Milan 10 (0)
2007–2008 → Levante (loan) 17 (0)
2008 → Cagliari (loan) 20 (0)
2008–2009 → Fiorentina (loan) 1 (0)
2010 → Sampdoria (loan) 19 (0)
2010– Juventus 12 (0)

source:wikipedia